glasstopp table #1: Right now I'm waiting for a new bandsaw, an 18 Inch Ricon.

I was wondering if anyone knew if it would be safe to use a doorwall as a table top, not the wood around the glass just the glass. I know it’s safety glass, but if it was supported up enough underneath. What say you my friends?

-- (You just have to please the man in the Mirror) Mike from Michigan -

Mike, I couldn’t advise you on the table, but I can tell you that my Rikon is a work horse. You’ll enjoy every minute of it and wonder how you made it without having it. I have the exact model and it is great!

Mike, I work with glass everyday at my office. 6mm thick tempered glass can hold up a 180lb person standing on it as long as it is supported on the outer edges correctly. There will always be the risk of the glass cracking if people impact it with something else. Especially if it has a tapered point. If you do not frame in the glass, you will need to sand/grind the glass edge just like Patron stated. It is also weaker on these edges. Most exposed edge glass tables are not tempered. They are a little more resistant to breaking, but when they do break you get very large and sharp pieces.

I am not a glass expert, or know much about it other than, Back in the seventies, I went to the glass shop, and bought 1/4 in. and built a 35 gallon aquarium. The thing waS ABOUT AS TALL AS IT WAS WIDE. I had two small children at the time, and they would watch the big Angel fish with their family. The kids would tap on the glass with toys, that My Wife and I decited to sell it. I know that the glass is still in tact. I do not know if it is used any longer though. I would guess that what I bought was store front glass. I can’t see that the glass would be any different>

Mike – My daughter lives down the street and couple times they brought their 100 lb plus dog down. Great dog, but he has ran into the closed door wall multiple times at pretty good clip both from inside and outside. Could just be he is an old dog like me and doesn’t learn or can’t see that well. Point is that door wall glass is made for some level of abuse and would seem fine as a table top to me as long as you don’t drop a lathe tool on it too many times. I would build a frame to cover the edges though.

LOL, Mike. I had to Google “Doorwall” to find out what you were talking about!

We have a dinning room table with a 1/4 inch glass top that is about 4×6 and it has served us well. It is supported on its outside edges plus a cross piece that runs down the center length wise, and another down the center width wise if you get my drift.

Thanks fellas, I think I’m going to try it, yes I was planing on putting wood all the way around it and maybe packing that with styrofoam, or something to absorb some hits, but allso keeping it small enough so it doesn’matter how much banging on the sides it takes it won’t shatter,or be a hassle, It must be over a half inch so I don’t think its going to matter. I know one thing you needed muscles in your sh*t to lift it. It is damned hefty. Thankls again for all your input. Thanks cosmo that’s encouraging.

-- (You just have to please the man in the Mirror) Mike from Michigan -

well here ive been wondering what happened to my old friend mike…wondering if he was still alive…and here you have a new band saw coming…you dog you…what a great tool…......glad your still making saw dust mike…grizz

If it is a modern doorwall it will more than likely be an insulated unit. It will be two pieces (1/8” I think) sandwiched with muttins on the perimeter and possibly filled with argon for energy efficiency. This would be unusable for a top because of the thickness of the glass. I would recommend 1/4”. You could get laminated glass if you want be on the safe side.

-- Gary; Marysville, MI...Involve your children in your projects as much as possible, the return is priceless.